The state secretariat of the Communist party of India Marxist have demanded probe against members of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA). The left party on Friday released a list of 25 life members of the HPCA.
“We have asked the government to probe whether these
members are for lifetime in society or the company that was floated by them,” said deputy mayor of the Shimla municipal corporation Tikender Panwar, who is also the member of the CPI state secretariat.

“The bare perusal at the list would give a glimpse of the entire list, who are either members of the BJP or close relatives of their leaders. The list also substantiates the indication done by the CPM that there exists a strong nexus between the real estate builders and the lifetime members,” said Panwar.

He said some of the functionaries included persons involved in construction of the cricket stadium were also the ones who constructed the Dharamsala stadium. “It is in this background that the party has asked the government to step up the probe and expedite the case,” he said.

He said Amar Nath Sharma, whose name figures on No 15 in the list, was the person who ran ANS construction company that constructed the Dharamsala stadium.

“His son Ashwani Sharma also figures at No 23. Likewise, of the 25 lifetime members, two have died and the rest out of 23, 15 are those who are either non-Himachalis or have an address outside Himachal.

Interestingly, the Jalandhar connection is quite prominent as six lifetime members have their address in Jalandhar. This shows that more than 65% are non-Himachalis and a good 26% are from Jalandhar.

The party has asked the government to immediately crack down on this nefarious design and exercise of the HPCA society or company that have spoiled the image of the state by committing forgery and cheating.

“The BJP also owes an explanation that facilitated such exercise to take place in the state. The CPM would support the state government in its endeavour if it goes ahead with the inquiry and bring the guilty to book,” he said.

Besides, the party warned the government not to join hands with the BJP and hush up the inquiry.